Tigers prospect Kyle Funkhouser throws 3 shutout innings in professional debut

Norfolk Tides 7, Toledo Mud Hens 4 (box)

Warwick Saupold worked 2 2/3 innings in a rehab assignment, but reports indicate he may have aggravated the groin injury that shelved him for the past month. Regardless, he and Dustin Molleken held the Tides to a single run through 4 2/3 frames, and the Mud Hens were behind 2-1 heading into the eighth inning. Things fell apart after that, however. Toledo’s bullpen gave up five runs in the final two innings, squashing a late rally from the offense. John Hicks hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth, but Argenis Diaz struck out with two runners on to end the game.

Gose: 2-4, 2 2B, RBI, SO
Green: 2-4, 2B, R, SO
Hicks: 1-3, HR, R, 3 RBI, BB
Saupold: 2.2 IP, 4 H, ER, 5 SO
Bell (L): 3.0 IP, 2 H, 3 ER, BB, 3 SO

Coming up next: Matt Boyd (2-3, 2.21 ERA) will start for the Mud Hens against Norfolk’s Ariel Miranda (2-7, 4.40 ERA) on Tuesday evening.

Reading Fightin’ Phils 8, Erie SeaWolves 7 (box)

The SeaWolves scored a run in the top of the eighth inning to take a 7-6 lead, but their bullpen could not hold the slim margin over the final two innings. Even getting the lead was a small victory for Erie, who were down 5-0 after starter Cory Riordan was knocked around early. The SeaWolves offense eventually got to Reading starter Mark Leiter, scoring six runs in the middle innings to tie the score. Dominic Ficociello doubled and scored twice for Erie, while Corey Jones had three hits. Grayson Greiner hit a three-run homer.

Jones: 3-4, 2B, R
Ficociello: 2-3, 2 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB
Frawley: 2-4, 3B, R
Riordan: 3.0 IP, 6 H, 5 ER, 3 BB

Coming up next: Myles Jaye (3-5, 3.97 ERA) will start for Erie as they continue their series with Reading on Tuesday.

Dunedin Blue Jays 2, Lakeland Flying Tigers 1 (box)

Christin Stewart hit his 18th home run of the season in the bottom of the seventh inning, but Zac Shepherd grounded out with the bases loaded later in the frame. This was a common theme for the Flying Tigers on Monday, as they out-hit Dunedin 7-3. Lakeland went 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position, including a pair of outs in the bottom of the ninth with two runners on. Starter Tyler Alexander was brilliant in the loss, striking out seven in six strong innings.

Stewart: 2-4, HR, R, RBI
Scivicque: 2-4, SO
Gerber: 1-4, SO
Alexander (L): 6.0 IP, H, ER, BB, 7 SO

Coming up next: A.J. Ladwig (8-5, 2.83 ERA) goes for his ninth win of the season as the Flying Tigers and Blue Jays finish up their three-game series.

West Michigan Whitecaps 9, Bowling Green Hot Rods 5 (box)

The Whitecaps thrashed Bowling Green starter Roel Ramirez, scoring eight runs on 13 (!) hits before Ramirez was mercifully lifted from the game in the fifth inning. West Michigan’s offense eventually finished with 15 hits on the night, three of which came off the bat of Brett Pirtle. Cam Gibson had two hits and four RBI, while Jose Azocar drove in a pair of runs. Derek Hill only had one hit, but made an insane diving catch in right center. Starter Sandy Baez picked up his third win of the season after pitching six shutout innings.

Pirtle: 3-4, 2 R
Gibson: 2-4, HR, R, 4 RBI
Azocar: 2-4, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI
Perez: 2-4, 2B, 3B, R, 2 RBI
Baez (W): 6.0 IP, 6 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 4 SO

Coming up next: Top prospect Beau Burrows (5-4, 2.77 ERA) will start for the Whitecaps as they continue their series with Bowling Green on Tuesday.

Aberdeen IronBirds 3, Connecticut Tigers 2 (box)

Kyle Funkhouser made his professional debut on Monday, working three scoreless innings for the Tigers. He struck out three and only allowed two hits. Ryan Castellanos was not as effective, allowing three runs on five hits (and five walks) in his 3 2/3 innings of work. He shouldered the loss, his second of the season. Sam Machonis and Tanner Donnels provided the majority of the Connecticut offense, combining for four of the team’s seven hits. Leadoff hitter Will Savage drove in a run and stole a base, but went 0-for-4.

Machonis: 2-4, 2B
Donnels: 2-4
Funkhouser: 3.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 3 SO
Castellanos (L): 3.2 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 5 BB, 4 SO

Coming up next: Alfred Gutierrez (0-0, 3.86 ERA) is listed as Connecticut’s scheduled starter on Tuesday as they kick off a series with the Lowell Spinners.